GLYPHOSATE - A Recent Study

     Last year we were contacted to participate in a glyphosate study.  Interest in us came from the knowledge that we have land that has had many gallons per acre (≈20+)applied over the last 30 years, and also land that has never had glyphosate applied.  The researchers were looking for changes in the soil that could be attributed to Glyphosate.  There are six locations with different operators in the project that extends across the greater Palouse area.  This year they are expanding the research project to look more in-depth at each of the microbiological communities.
     To date, the short simple answer is that they have found no evidence that glyphosate is impacting our soils beyond normal variations found in soil types, crop cultivars, and location.
     In our discussion it was brought out that the glyphosate molecule is of a fairly simple structure that has P, S, and C as part of it's makeup.  With these elements, arranged as they are, this molecule should be a good food source for the soil microbiological community.  Part of the study is to identify which  communities use glyphosate as a food source.  One characteristic of glyphosate is that it has an affinity for mineral soil, and is held very tightly.  This does have an impact on what microbes use this product as food.
     Several times I have done an internet search on glyphosate.  It's amazing how many hits are out there, and the vast number are negative on glyphosate and Monsanto.  Even though I know that most of these "THE TRUTH ABOUT GLYPHOSATE", and the like, articles, are garbage, --occasionally there will be a statement that gives me pause.  In these situations, I go back to trusted, peer reviewed articles for the answer, --and sometimes, there is no answer.  What I have noticed, is that Monsanto's detractors work on emotion, with few facts to support their claims.  They will make unsupported statements like, --40 researchers from around the world support the truth that glyphosate creates "Super Weeds".  Statements like this is not a a total lie.  A grain of truth normally can be found in these proclamations, but they are always, "over the top", miss leading.  Any one in the business of production agriculture knows that every class of chemical we use is becoming less effective in killing unwanted plant cultivars, --including glyphosate (Roundup).  This gives rise to a reference of "Super Weed". We have run out of known "modes" of action on which to attack a plant cultivar, so now we are using mixes of chemicals that combine different modes of action.  Rarely is a single chemistry recommended to assure a clean crop.
     One disturbing question (for me) that I am now working on finding the answer too is:  does multiple applications of Roundup (on Rt tolerant crops, GMO's) build up in the food supply (seed, forage)?  The followup question is: if so, is that a problem for human or animal health?  I think the answer to the first is NO, if used according to the label! --which, sort of says that it could if the label is not followed, (which I am sure occurs).  I'm unsure on the second question.  Early research said no, but I'm not sure what more recent "peer reviewed" research says.  There is plenty of junk science that will say that Roundup causes grotesque cancerous warts, and is the root of every imaginable disease known to mankind.
     Groups like Earth First and EWG(Environmental Working Group) have as much credibility with me as televangelist's do.  They both live through their greed, and peoples fears they skillfully nurture, and/or create!